The news re the dismissal of DNI Maguire is rife with all the usual themes: Russia, loyal stooges, narcissistic rage, the “deep state,” etc., but also one key meta-theme: Trump’s attempt to use state powers to assert control over your reality. This is part of the full realization of Trump’s idealized self—Trump the Magnificent, using … Continue reading The Descent Accelerates…
Category: Government
The Precipice
Donald Trump is “convinced” that Robert Mueller’s investigation is a plot to delegitimize him only to the extent that he needs to be convinced, as a matter of self-preservation. Trump needs the investigation to be a partisan hit job intent on delegitimizing him or else he’ll be forced to face damning truths about his … Continue reading The Precipice
Meet The New Boss
...Same as the old boss. President Trump has seemingly stumbled across the obvious of late, raising the possibility that life in these United States might become slightly less terrible in the days ahead. Right about now, slightly less terrible would be a significant upgrade. It should not be discouraged. Trump's recent discovery of bipartisan cooperation—the … Continue reading Meet The New Boss
Post-Postscript and the Coming War for Free and Fair Elections
One final comment: You'll note I did not mention what government I thought we're living in, if Democracy did indeed fall in May as I've posited. If not democracy, Rousseau, then what? My omission was deliberate; the answer is: I don't know. It's neither yet an autocracy nor an authoritarian state in any of it's … Continue reading Post-Postscript and the Coming War for Free and Fair Elections
Democracy Fell – Postscript
I've not taken to the keys here since my bleak pronouncement in May that democracy fell that month in these United States. I've not done so for several reasons, not the least of which is that I was half-hoping events would force me to write a retraction. Alas. Scanning the political landscape and national news … Continue reading Democracy Fell – Postscript
The Day Democracy Fell – Part II: The GOP Obscenity
On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, democracy fell in the United States. Into what exactly, well, that's not entirely clear. But then, that's much the way these things go, I understand. In any event, our chosen form of government crossed over a line, and we are presently somewhere along the spectrum heading down towards … Continue reading The Day Democracy Fell – Part II: The GOP Obscenity
The Day Democracy Fell – Part I: Firing James Comey
MSNBC has devoted an entire day's broadcast to 'puzzling out' the reason Trump fired Comey. And apparently it's still an open question. JFC. — Atticus West (@AtticusWest) May 10, 2017 Mark your calendar. Yesterday was May 10, 2017. The day democracy fell. Unfortunately, before we can even discuss the import of yesterday, we have to dispose … Continue reading The Day Democracy Fell – Part I: Firing James Comey
A Familiar Refrain: Duterte, Trump, Autocracy and the Other
Donald Trump’s enthusiastic embrace this week of authoritarian dictators around the world spiked sufficiently to break into mainstream news media’s consciousness, but it’s really nothing new. It’s more of a continuation of a theme that pre-dates the election. This embrace extends beyond his bizarre and well-documented love of all things Vladimir Putin – his continuing … Continue reading A Familiar Refrain: Duterte, Trump, Autocracy and the Other
Statement on Sanctuary Cities Ruling (Revised)
The White House yesterday released a hostile, combative, ill-informed statement regarding the recent federal court ruling re Sanctuary Cities. Here is the full text of the original White House Statement, followed by a few proposed revisions and comments: Original White House Statement: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release April 25, 2017 Statement … Continue reading Statement on Sanctuary Cities Ruling (Revised)
Mitch McConnell and the Demise of the Two-Party System
History will record that Mitch McConnell presided over the demise of the two-party system in America. McConnell's vile, bare-knuckle, partisan tactic, the one that successfully achieved its intended aim of stealing a Supreme Court seat, signals the end of the 2-party system in the United States. Going forward, Dems, progressives and other non-fascists, should … Continue reading Mitch McConnell and the Demise of the Two-Party System
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